Lewis was 4 of 8 from the field and 9 of 11 from the free-throw line. Justin Coughlin added 10 points for the Pioneers (4-0), who won despite their leading scorer, Brian Stafford, being held to eight points on 3-of-7 shooting. Denver was 10 for 20 (50 percent) from 3-point range.

Rob Jones led Saint Mary’s (2-1) with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Matthew Dellavedova scored 20, including four 3-pointers.

Denver outscored the Gales 35-29 in each half and forced 14 turnovers for the game. It was the Pioneers’ first-ever victory over Saint Mary’s, which had won the only two previous meetings.

Saint Mary’s led 9-4 early in the first half after a Dellavedova 3-pointer, but Denver responded with three straight 3-pointers and never trailed again.